HOUSTON -- When the Houston Texans assemble all of their college scouts for the first time each December, beginning their first organization-wide foray into heavy draft preparation, chatter in the meeting rooms doesn't start with 40 times or highlight-reel plays.

Instead, general manager Rick Smith is often probing more about the intellect and character of key prospects, listening to his staff dissect key prospects on that regard.

They want tremendous athletes, same as everyone else, but won't overreach for it. They are going to prize decision-making ability on and off the field, and players their beloved owner, Bob McNair, can be proud of. It's an ethos that has served as the backbone of the expansion team's sometimes-agonizing ascent to the NFL elite. It's about identifying good people, giving people space to be themselves, and being imminently willing to reward your own as you develop a young core.